Visual meter for providing a long-term indication of dynamic parameters

ABSTRACT

A media meter mounts to a surface of a removable storage media or other product, and provides a visual indication of one or more parameters of the storage media or other product. The media meter includes circuitry that detects status signals transmitted by rf transmissions or directly connected by wires between an auxiliary memory device mounted on the storage media or product, or receives status signals via rf transmissions directly from the auxiliary memory. As another alternative, the media meter may be integrated with the auxiliary memory to receive status signals directly from the auxiliary memory. The status signals indicate the capacity of the storage media, the number of read and/or write errors that have occurred during back-up and retrieval, the number of times the storage media has been loaded with data or other information, and other dynamically-varying parameters. The media meter selects appropriate parameters to display, or may perform other analysis to determine other parameters of the storage media, such as the viability of the storage media. The media meter includes a parasitic power source that uses the rf communications to power the circuitry. The media meter includes a display device capable of maintaining a display of the selected parameter for extended periods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a visual indicatorthat may be used to display the status of dynamically varyingparameters. More particularly, the present invention relates to a visualmeter that can be attached to a removable storage media, or any othertangible product, to display the status of varying parameters. Stillmore particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic labelthat can be affixed to a removable storage media or other tangibleproduct and that includes circuitry which provides a visual indicationof one or more dynamic parameters relating to the removable storagemedia or product.

[0005] 2. Background of the Invention

[0006] Bar code labels and other electronic marking labels have becomecommonplace in numerous industries as a way to label a tangible productor storage device. Bar code labels are commonly used on retail productsto enable the bar code to be scanned to identify the product. Bar codelabels are also used in manufacturing to identify the time and placethat the product was manufactured. In the computer storage industry, barcode labels are commonly used to identify the storage medium, which thenmay be correlated with certain parameters regarding the storage mediumin a computerized archiving system.

[0007] While bar code labels have the advantage of being small in sizeand relatively inexpensive, they suffer from the disadvantage that thebar code label cannot be used to indicate the status of a parameter thatvaries with time. Thus, as an example, a bar code label may be used toidentify a battery by model number and date of manufacture, it cannot beused to indicate the life remaining on a battery. In certain industries,it is advantageous to be able to label products to indicate the state ofdynamic parameters. The list of such products is massive, and includesremovable storage medium, power supplies, manufacturing pieces, andvirtually any product that requires maintenance or which has a fixedlife. As an example of such products, the present invention will discussremovable storage media to explain the principles of the visual meterdisclosed herein, with the understanding that the present invention isnot limited to use only with such a product. The present invention maybe used in conjunction with any type of storage product, and may be usedoutside the storage industry in other industries and fields that requireuse of a meter that can visually display a parameter that varies withtime.

[0008] Removable storage media are used extensively by businesses andindividuals to store data that is downloaded from computing andaccounting systems. Typically, computer users will store or back-up dataonto the removable storage media frequently to protect the integrity ofthat data in case the computer or operating system loses its data, or“crashes”. The removable storage media also is used to free up memoryspace in the computer or network. Data is written or backed-up onto aremovable storage media by a writing device that typically connects as aperipheral device to a computer system or network storage. Similarly,data is retrieved or restored from the back-up storage media through theuse of a read device. Typically, a tape drive will include thecapability to both read from and write to the removable storage media.

[0009] Methods and techniques for backing up data onto removable storagemedia vary. Usually, however, a user will maintain multiple back-upcopies of data to insure the integrity of the stored data. For example,five different tape cartridges may be used in a rotating fashion toback-up all accounting data. Thus, for example, on Monday, tape 1 wouldbe used to back-up the accounting data, while tapes 2, 3, 4 and 5 wouldbe used on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, respectively. Inthis fashion, each of the five tapes is supplemented once a week. As aresult, if one tape fails or is lost on the same day that a computercrashes, at most only one day of data would be lost. Other users maydecide to periodically maintain back-up tapes in an automated or robotictape library for later reference. Thus, for example, a company maydecide to back-up and store in a library or archive all accounting datathat is present on the last day of each month.

[0010] An entire industry has evolved that relates to equipment andmethods for backing-up data from a computer onto a tape cartridge, andfor keeping an inventory of the many back-up tapes that may exist. Forexample, robotic library systems have been developed which include arobotic arm to automatically place tape cartridges into tape drives forbacking up and restoring data. In these systems, the tape cartridgetypically is identified by a bar code, which is read by a bar codescanner. The bar code usually comprises a label that is affixed to thecartridge. A central computer associates the bar code value with theposition and content of each cartridge. The cartridges are maintained ina storage volume which is accessible by the robotic arm and bar codescanner. These library systems, typically are very expensive, andrequire expensive robotic handling equipment to handle the tapes. Inaddition, the bar code is not capable of retaining information regardingthe tape life, capacity, and other dynamically changing parameters ofthe cartridge.

[0011] More recently, a number of companies have begun to market systemsthat permit the usage history and other information regarding removablestorage media to be monitored and stored with the media. In thesesystems, an integrated circuit is placed either inside the storagemedia, or on an exterior surface of the media. The integrated circuitincludes an auxiliary memory, such as an EEPROM, which can store certaininformation regarding the removable storage media. Information stored inauxiliary memory may include the capacity of the storage media, themanufacturer of the storage media, the number of times that the storagemedia was required to retry a write operation during back-up operations,the number of times that the storage media was required to retry a readoperation during restore operations, the number of times that thestorage media has been loaded with data, and the media pool with whichthe storage media is associated. The drive device accesses thisinformation on the auxiliary memory through suitable circuitry mountedin the drive. The drive communicates with the auxiliary memory viaeither a direct electrical connection, or through radio frequency (rf)transmissions. If rf communication is used, an antenna is included withthe auxiliary memory on the storage media, and an antenna is mountedwith the circuitry in the drive. The circuitry in the drive may accessthe auxiliary memory either by write transactions (during which new datais loaded in the auxiliary memory), or by read transactions (duringwhich data stored in the auxiliary memory is read by the drivecircuitry). Companies who have introduced systems of this sort includeSony, which implements the AIT cartridge, and IBM, Seagate,Hewlett-Packard, which implements the LTO cartridge, and Quantum whichimplements SDLT.

[0012] The problem with these prior art auxiliary memory systems is thatthe information on the cartridge or other removable storage media canonly be accessed by an appropriate circuit device that can communicatewith the auxiliary memory. This occurs when the cartridge is in thedrive. Customers have no method to read the auxiliary memory informationwhen the cartridge is outside the drive. Many customers may only have asingle drive that can communicate with the auxiliary memory, and accessto that drive may not be readily available. Moreover, the informationretrieved from the drive is not in a format that is readily useable.Typically, the information from the auxiliary memory must be input to acomputer system that then must be programmed to incorporate that datainto a format that can be reviewed by the user. Thus, for manyconsumers, the information that can be obtained from the auxiliarymemory is not in a form that can be quickly reviewed by a consumer. Itwould be advantageous at certain times to be able to quickly determinecertain status information regarding the storage media without placingthe storage media in the vicinity of circuitry that can communicate withthe auxiliary memory.

[0013] It would be advantageous if a system or device was developed thatwould permit a user to obtain certain information regarding a removablestorage media or other tangible product without requiring access to aspecialized device that must be used to communicate with auxiliarymemory circuits mounted in or on the storage media or product. It wouldalso be advantageous if a system or device was available which wouldpermit a dynamic variable relating to a removable storage media or otherproduct to be visually accessible without requiring connection to acomputer system. Despite the apparent advantage that such a system wouldhave, to date no such system has become available.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The deficiencies and shortcomings of the prior art are solved bya visual meter that attaches to a removable storage media or othertangible product and which includes a display for indicating certaindynamic status information relating to storage media or product. Thevisual meter may be selected to display particular information, such asthe remaining capacity of the storage media, the viability of thestorage media or product for continued use, the number of errors thathave occurred while reading from and writing to the storage media, andany other desired status information. The display preferably comprises agraph with legends that denote the status of one or more dynamicallychanging parameters. According to the preferred embodiment, the graphprovides a long-term visual indication of the state of the parameter,without any external power source.

[0015] According to the preferred embodiment, the visual meter is usedin conjunction with an auxiliary memory circuit that is mounted in or onthe removable storage media or other product and stores informationregarding particular dynamic status parameters of the removable storagemedia or product. The meter may either connect electrically to theauxiliary memory circuit, or may comprise a label that attaches to theremovable storage media and which communicates with either the auxiliarymemory or drive circuitry via rf transmissions or through a hard-wireconnection. The meter preferably includes an rf receiver and a parasiticpower source that converts rf transmissions to electrical power foroperating the meter circuitry. The meter circuitry also preferablyincludes conditioning circuitry to convert the received rf transmissionsto a digital signal. The meter also preferably includes a controlcircuit and a memory device that operate to store parameter datareceived from the drive or auxiliary memory. The control circuitrypreferably selects particular parameter data for displaying on asuitable display device, through the use of associated drive circuitry.According to one embodiment, the control circuitry may be programmed toanalyze the parameter data to determine the viability of the removablestorage media or other product, based on past usage, the number oferrors that have occurred during storage and retrieval of data, and thelike.

[0016] The meter preferably includes a display device that may beattached as a label to a cartridge. According to one embodiment, thedisplay comprises a semiconductor device that changes color based on thecharge applied to the device. Preferably, the display has a long-life toprovide a visual display for an extended period of time even after thecartridge has been removed from the tape drive. In addition, it ispreferable that no external power source be required to maintain thereadable value set on the label. According to the preferred embodiment,the display values are determined each time the cartridge is placed in adrive, or during any other situation in which the auxiliary memory isaccessed by either a read or a write operation.

[0017] Additional details regarding the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention may be obtained from the detailed description of thepreferred embodiment, drawings, and claims, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

[0019]FIG. 1A depicts a visual meter mounted on a removable storagemedia in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0020]FIG. 1B depicts a visual meter that displays another parameterregarding a removable storage media or other product;

[0021]FIG. 2 depicts a meter attached to a bar code label in accordancewith another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplaryimplementation of a meter constructed in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a second exemplaryimplementation of a meter constructed in accordance with a secondembodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the preferred meter circuitry used inthe embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a third exemplaryimplementation of a meter constructed in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIGS. 7A-B, 8A-B and 9A-B are drawings depicting themicro-encapsulated electrophoretic display elements used in theembodiments of FIGS. 3, 4 and 6;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a side view of the meter design incorporating thedisplay elements of FIGS. 7A-B, 8A-B and 9A-B, in accordance with thepreferred embodiment;

[0028]FIG. 11 is a top view of the paper substrate of FIG. 10; and

[0029]FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the meter design of FIG. 10 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

[0030] Certain terms are used throughout the following description andclaims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in theart will appreciate, computer companies may refer to a component bydifferent names. This document does not intend to distinguish betweencomponents that differ in name but not function. In the followingdiscussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” areused in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean“including, but not limited to . . . ”. Also, the term “couple” or“couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct electricalconnection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, thatconnection may be through a direct electrical connection, or through anindirect electrical connection via other devices and connections. Theterm “removable storage device” or “removable storage media” is intendedto be construed broadly to include tape cartridges, hard drives, opticaldiscs, memory sticks, memory cards, and other storage media that may beavailable now, or may become available in the future. Similarly, theterm “product” is intended to be construed broadly to include any devicethat has a changing parameter which can be displayed, includingparameters that change in the manufacturing process or during the normaloperation or use of the device. To the extent that any term is notspecially defined in this specification, the intent is that the term isto be given its plain and ordinary meaning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The visual meter of the present invention preferably attaches toa removable storage device, which may include any removable storagemechanism capable of storing data, video, audio or other information.According to the preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the visual meter includes a display 20 that includes a histogram (or bargraph) 25 and a legend 35. The meter preferably is configured to displaya pre-selected parameter to minimize cost. Alternatively, the meter maybe designed to display multiple parameters, either on a rotating basis,or as selected by a user.

[0032] According to the preferred embodiment, the meter comprises alabel that can be attached to a cartridge 40, as shown in FIG. 1, forexample. The label includes both the meter circuitry as well as bargraph 25 and legend 35. According to the preferred embodiment, thelegend 35 is preprinted on the label, although if desired a displayelement may be used to display the legend. The bar graph 25 preferablyis implemented with a plurality of semiconductor display elements thatare capable of displaying at least two different colors. Thus, as shownin FIG. 1, the legend 35 may indicate, for example, the number ofread/write errors that were detected during the last read/writeoperation to the tape cartridge 40. The number of errors is indicated inthe bar graph by the darker color portion. Various other parameterscould be indicated in similar fashion, including the remaining capacityof the removable storage media, the viability of the removable storagemedia (good versus bad, for example), the life of the storage media, thenumber of times the storage media has been loaded or unloaded with data,and the like. As an example of another meter, FIG. 1A shows a histogramthat depicts the life of the removable storage media or product.

[0033] Thus, on the left-hand side, a visual indication of “good” isshown, denoting that the media has ample life remaining. On theright-hand side of the meter is the notation “replace”, indicating thatthe useful life of the media or product has past. Display elementscomprise each of the cells of the histogram, thus depicting the usefullife of the media or product, ranging from “good” to “replace.” Thus, byvisually inspecting the meter display 20 on the surface of the removablestorage media, the user can obtain critical information regarding thestatus of the removable storage media. It should also be noted againthat the visual meter shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 may be used withproducts (or products being manufactured) other than storage media. Thevisual meter may be used with any product for which it is desirable tovisually indicate a dynamic parameter.

[0034]FIG. 1 demonstrates attaching the meter to a tape cartridge, suchas an AIT cartridge, with a suitable adhesive. On other removablestorage media, there may be insufficient space to permit the meter toattach directly to the removable storage media. In that event, and asshown in FIG. 2, the meter may attach to a bar code label 35, as mightfor example be necessary with an LTO or SDLT cartridge. As shown in FIG.2, the bar graph 25 and legend 35 may be mounted horizontally, insteadof the vertical arrangement used in FIG. 1. Other spatial orientationsalso may be used, as necessary. In addition, it should be noted thatmultiple display devices may be provided to indicate differentparameters. As will be discussed in more detail in relation to FIG. 10,the display device preferably comprises a thin, flexible label that canbe easily adhered to a surface of the removable storage media, or toother labels attached to the removable storage media. Preferably thedisplay is capable of maintaining the set value for an extended periodof time (on the order of years), without a battery.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, various embodiments arepossible to enable the meter to receive information regarding one ormore parameters of the removable storage media for displaying on themeter display. FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 illustrate three possible embodiments.Other embodiments also are possible based on the concepts discussedbelow.

[0036] Referring initially to FIG. 3, the tape cartridge 40 typicallyincludes an auxiliary memory chip 55 which can be accessed by circuitryin the tape drive 60. The drive circuitry performs read and writeoperations to the auxiliary memory chip 55 when the cartridge is loadedin the tape drive. The read and write transactions preferably areperformed using rf communications between the drive and cartridge.Depending on the removable storage media, it may be preferred to use ahardwire connection instead of an rf connection. Thus, for example, ifthe removable storage media comprises a hard drive, it may be preferredto communicate with a visual meter on the hard drive using a hard-wireconnection, instead of an rf connection.

[0037] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, themeter 100 preferably includes a meter chip and an associated displaythat attach to the removable storage media or to another label affixedto the storage media. The meter 100 detects write operations from thedrive to the auxiliary memory chip, and in response, performs a writeoperation to a memory device in the meter. Thus, the meter “listens” forrf communications to the auxiliary memory during which parameterinformation is being stored in the auxiliary memory. The meter 100 thenselects a specific parameter or parameters for displaying on theassociated display, or else performs an analysis of the data andprovides an indication of a parameter that relates to the stored data.Thus, the meter can display parameter status information that iscalculated each time the cartridge is loaded with data. As yet anotheralternative, the visual meter may be designed to simply receiveinformation from the drive circuitry indicating the desired setting ofthe visual meter, without requiring any calculation or intelligence atthe meter. The rf transmission from the drive, which is detected by themeter preferably provides the requisite energy to the meter circuitrythat permits the meter to generate the display without the use of abattery or other power source. According to one exemplary embodiment,various meters may be purchased by consumers for attaching to aremovable storage media or other product, with different metersdedicated to displaying a specific parameter. Thus, for example, onemeter might be provided to indicate capacity, while another mightprovide information regarding the viability of the product or media.

[0038] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, andreferring now to FIG. 4, the meter 100′ may be designed to receive rfcommunications from the auxiliary memory chip 55′ that mounts in or onthe removable storage media. In this embodiment, the auxiliary memorychip 55′ may be programmed to periodically transmit its contents orportions of its contents to the meter 100′, for displaying one or moreparameters on an associated display device.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 5, the media meter constructed inaccordance with the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 preferably includes anrf receiver 110, conditioning circuitry and power source circuitry 125,a memory device 140, control circuitry 150, drive circuitry 165, and adisplay device 20. According to the preferred embodiment, at least someof these circuit elements are constructed as an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC). The rf receiver 110 preferably detects rfcommunications transmitted by the drive and/or the auxiliary memorydevice, and passes the communication signals to conditioning circuitryand power source circuitry 125. Alternatively, a direct connection (or“receiver”) 115 may be provided which directly couples the drive toconditioning circuitry and power source circuitry 125 and controlcircuitry 150. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the directconnection receiver or rf receiver may both be provided in the presentinvention, or only one of these receivers may be provided to enablecommunication according to that communication medium. The conditioningcircuitry performs any necessary filtering, and converts the received rfsignals (or directly transmitted electrical signals) to a digitalformat. The power source circuitry operates as a parasitic power source,using a portion of the received transmissions to generate sufficientpower to operate the electronic circuitry in the meter. The digitizedsignals are relayed to the control circuitry 150, which determines ifthe transmissions should be stored in memory device 140. Thus, accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 3, the control circuitry 150 determines if thereceived communication comprises a write cycle to the auxiliary memory,and if so, the received communication is stored in memory 140.Similarly, with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the controlcircuitry 150 determines if the received communication comprises astatus communication from the auxiliary memory, and if so, the data isstored in memory 140. The control circuitry may be designed as aprocessor with some level of programmability, a programmable logicarray, or as a hardwired circuit implementation.

[0040] Once new data appears in the memory device 140, the controlcircuitry 150 preferably selects the portion of the data to bedisplayed, and formats the data before passing it to the drive circuitry165. The drive circuitry then provides the necessary signals to drivethe display, causing a bar graph (or other graphical representation ofthe dynamic parameter) to be displayed indicating the status of thedesired parameter. The control circuitry 150 may be configured to selecta particular parameter, such as capacity, or number of read or writeerrors, the number of times that a removable storage media has been usedto store data, and the like. In that event, the control circuitry 150will read the relevant parameter information from memory 140. Preferablythe status data will be assigned to particular fields or will bepartitioned in such a way that the control circuitry 150 can readilyidentify where in memory 140 the desired information is stored.Alternatively, the control circuitry 150 may be capable of analyzingdata to make a determination regarding other parameters relating to theremovable storage media. Thus, for example, the control circuitry 150may be programmed to check the information relating to the number ofread and write errors, the number of times that data has been stored onthe media, the period of time over which the storage media has beenused, and any other parameters that relate to the viability of theproduct or media. From this information, the control circuitry mayexecute an algorithm to determine the viability of the product or media,and may provide a display that indicates to the user the viability ofthe product or media. Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of themeter is shown. According to this embodiment, the meter is incorporatedin auxiliary memory chip 175. Consequently, when the contents of theauxiliary memory 175 are altered by the drive circuitry, the meterdisplay circuitry drives the meter bar graph and, if necessary, themeter text to indicate the parameter being displayed. Thus, thisimplementation supports a variable display as different storedparameters are displayed by the meter display circuitry. To implement avariable display, the control circuitry may periodically change thedisplay by rotating through a pre-selected list of parameters to bedisplayed, or may respond to an inquiry from a user, which could be madeby a suitable input device (such as a button) on the removable storagemedia or product that causes the control circuitry to cycle through apre-selected list of display parameters.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 7A-B, 8A-B and 9A-B, the display devicepreferably comprises a plurality of display elements in the shape ofmicrospheres 250, such as those manufactured by E-Ink Technologies.These microspheres operate as micro-encapsulated electrophoretic displayelements. One such microsphere is shown in each of FIGS. 7A, 8A and 9A.The microspheres 250 are positioned between an upper transparentelectrode 220 and a lower electrode 210, which preferably is opaque. Asshown in FIG. 7A, the microsphere 250 has a clear shell which is filledwith blue dye. White pigments are contained within the shell, and have apositive electrostatic charge. If neither the upper or lower electrodepresent an electrical charge, then the white pigments remain scatteredwithin the shell, causing the bubble to have a light blue color, asindicated by the shading in FIG. 7B. If, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, anegative voltage is applied to the upper electrode 220 while a positivecharge is applied to the lower electrode 210, the white pigment willmove toward the upper electrode, causing the microshpere 250 to have awhite color. If conversely, the charges are reversed, as shown in FIGS.9A and 9B to have a positive charge on the upper electrode 220 and anegative charge on the lower electrode 210, the microsphere 250 willhave a dark blue color. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, abar graph may be configured with multiple microspheres to representdifferent bars in a bar graph.

[0042] Thus, referring now to FIG. 10, a plurality of microspheres 250are positioned between multiple sets of electrodes. The density of themicrospheres may be on the order of hundred or more microspheres perinch. In the exemplary drawing of FIG. 10, approximately 64 microspheresare shown with sixteen upper electrodes 220, for purposes ofillustration. The sixteen electrodes may be considered as sixteendifferent bars in a bar graph. Thus, the control circuitry and drivecircuitry of FIG. 5 may cause the first four bars of the display to havea dark blue color, while the other twelve bars of the display have awhite color.

[0043] Referring still to FIG. 10, the media meter includes a substrate200, preferably formed of paper, with a lower electrode sheet 210 placedor fabricated on the layer above the substrate 200. In the preferredembodiment, the lower electrode 210 preferably is opaque, but that isnot a requirement. The display elements or microspheres 250 of FIGS. 7Aare deposited on the lower electrode 210, and the upper electrodes 220are placed or fabricated on the next layer above the display elements250. The upper and lower electrodes couple to appropriate drivecircuitry. The drive circuitry may be located on the electrodes, or maybe located separate from the electrodes and couple to the electrodes byconductors. A sheet of mylar 235 and/or another insulative material isthen placed across the top of the upper electrodes 220. Integratedcircuits 245, such as the rf receiver, control circuitry, and othercircuitry depicted in the circuitry of FIG. 5, preferably are positionedin cut-outs 285 in the paper substrate 200, as best viewed in FIG. 11.Referring back to FIG. 10, appropriate conductors (not shown)electrically connect the control circuit IC's 245 to the upper and lowerelectrodes 220 and 210, respectively. According to the preferredembodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, below the substrate 200 andIC's 245 an antenna loop 290 is formed. The antenna 290 may be formedusing any suitable antenna pattern or array, using conventionalsemiconductor fabrication techniques. A sheet of mylar 255 or otherinsulative cover preferably is positioned beneath the substrate 200 andantenna 290, as shown in FIG. 10. A sheet of adhesive (not shown) isaffixed to the bottom of the mylar sheet 255. According to the preferredembodiment, the media meter has a thickness of approximately 1millimeter or less, and is flexible.

[0044] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of theprinciples and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerousvariations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled inthe art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intendedthat the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variationsand modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A meter indicating a parameter relating to aremovable storage media, said removable storage media being capable ofstoring information when the removable storage media is loaded in adrive, and said removable storage media including an auxiliary memorychip that stores information including dynamically-varying parameters ofthe removable storage media, comprising: a receiver mounted on theremovable storage media that receives transmissions from said drive whensaid drive is transmitting information to the auxiliary memory chip;control circuitry mounted on the removable storage media and coupled tosaid receiver; and a display mounted on the removable storage media andcoupled to said control circuitry; wherein said control circuitryselects at least one of the parameters for displaying on said display tovisually indicate the status of at least one dynamically-varyingparameter.
 2. The meter of claim 1, further comprising a memory coupledto said control circuitry, and wherein said memory stores informationreceived by said receiver prior to selection by said control circuitry.3. The meter of claim 2, wherein information only is loaded into saidmemory if said drive is performing a write operation to said auxiliarymemory chip.
 4. The meter of claim 1, further comprising a parasiticpower source that provides power to said meter from the receivedtransmissions.
 5. The meter of claim 1, further comprising conditioningcircuitry coupled to said receiver that converts the receivedtransmission to a digital format.
 6. The meter of claim 1, wherein thedisplay comprises a graph.
 7. The meter of claim 1, wherein the displaycomprises a plurality of microspheres of dye with electrostaticallycharged pigmentation.
 8. The meter of claim 7, wherein the displayfurther comprises multiple pairs of electrodes mounted on opposite sidesof said microspheres that cause the electrostatically chargedpigmentation to move from side to side to effect color changes .
 9. Themeter of claim 8, wherein the multiple pairs of electrodes areconfigured to represent bars in a bar graph.
 10. The meter as in claim1, wherein the meter comprises a label that is affixed to said removablestorage media.
 11. The meter as in claim 1, wherein the receivercomprises an rf receiver, and the transmissions from said drive compriserf transmissions.
 12. The meter as in claim 1, wherein the removablestorage media comprises a hard drive.
 13. The meter of claim 1, whereinthe removable storage media comprises a tape cartridge that is capableof storing data backed-up from a computer system.
 14. The meter of claim1, wherein the removable storage media comprises a tape cartridge thatis capable of storing video from a camcorder.
 15. The meter of claim 1,wherein the removable storage media is capable of storing audio.
 16. Ameter indicating a dynamically-varying parameter relating to a removablestorage media, said removable storage media being capable of storinginformation and including an auxiliary memory chip that storesinformation regarding parameters of the removable storage media,comprising: an rf receiver mounted on the removable storage media thatreceives rf transmissions from said auxiliary memory chip relating toone or more parameters of the removable storage media; control circuitrymounted on the removable storage media and coupled to said rf receiver;and a display mounted on the removable storage media and coupled to saidcontrol circuitry; wherein said control circuitry selects at least oneof the parameters for displaying on said display to visually indicatethe status of said at least one parameter.
 17. The meter of claim 16,further comprising a memory coupled to said control circuitry, andwherein said memory stores information received by said rf receiverprior to selection by said control circuitry.
 18. The meter of claim 16,further comprising a parasitic power source that provides power to saidmeter from the received rf transmissions.
 19. The meter of claim 16,further comprising conditioning circuitry coupled to said rf receiverthat converts the received rf transmission to a digital format.
 20. Themeter of claim 16, wherein the display comprises a bar graph.
 21. Themeter of claim 16, wherein the display comprises a plurality ofmicrospheres of dye with electrostatically charged pigmentation.
 22. Themeter of claim 21, wherein the display further comprises multiple pairsof electrodes mounted on opposite sides of said microspheres that causethe electrostatically charged pigmentation to move from side to side toeffect color changes.
 23. The meter of claim 22, wherein the multiplepairs of electrodes are configured to represent bars in a bar graph. 24.The meter as in claim 16, wherein the meter comprises a label that isaffixed to said removable storage media.
 25. An auxiliary memory devicethat includes a meter capable of indicating a parameter relating to aproduct, said auxiliary memory capable of storing information wheninserted in a drive, comprising: a receiver mounted on the product thatreceives transmissions from said drive that includes informationrelating to the status of said product; a memory, mounted on the product, that couples to said receiver to receive and store said informationrelating to the status of said product; control circuitry mounted on theproduct and coupled to said memory; and a display mounted on the productand coupled to said control circuitry; wherein said control circuitryselects at least a portion of the information relating to the status ofsaid product for displaying on said display to visually indicate thestatus of said product.
 26. The auxiliary memory device of claim 25,wherein said control circuitry is capable of changing the portion ofinformation relating to the status of said product that is displayed onsaid display.
 27. The auxiliary memory device as in claim 26, whereinthe display includes a bar graph and a legend, and both said bar graphand said legend may be changed by said control circuitry depending onwhich portion of said information is selected for display by saidcontrol circuitry.
 28. The auxiliary memory device as in claim 25,further comprising a parasitic power source that provides power to saidmeter from the received transmissions.
 29. The auxiliary memory deviceas in claim 25, wherein the auxiliary memory device comprises a chipthat is affixed to said product.
 30. The auxiliary memory device as inclaim 25, wherein the product comprises a removable storage media. 31.The auxiliary memory device as in claim 30, wherein the removablestorage media comprises a tape cartridge that is capable of storing databacked-up from a computer system.
 32. The auxiliary memory device as inclaim 30, wherein the removable storage media comprises a tape cartridgethat is capable of storing video from a camcorder.
 33. The auxiliarymemory device as in claim 30, wherein the removable storage media iscapable of storing audio.
 34. The auxiliary memory device as in claim30, wherein the removable storage media comprises a hard drive.
 35. Theauxiliary memory device as in claim 23, wherein the receiver comprisesan rf receiver, and the transmissions from said drive comprise rftransmissions.
 36. The auxiliary memory device as in claim 23, whereinthe receiver comprises a direct connection receiver, and thetransmissions from said drive comprise transmissions via one or moreelectrical conductors.
 37. A label capable of being secured to a productthat provides a visual display of a parameter relating to the product,comprising a plurality of upper transparent electrodes; a plurality oflower electrodes; a plurality of microspheres positioned between saidupper electrodes and said lower electrodes; a substrate positioned belowsaid plurality of lower electrodes, said substrate receiving one or moreintegrated circuit that selectively energize some of said plurality ofupper electrodes and said plurality of lower electrodes; an antennapositioned below said plurality of lower electrodes that is capable ofreceiving rf transmissions from a remote source indicating which upperelectrodes and lower electrodes to energize, and wherein said antennacouples to said one or more integrated circuits to provide said rftransmissions to said one or more integrated circuit.
 38. A label as inclaim 37, further comprising an insulating layer above said plurality ofupper electrodes.
 39. A label as in claim 37, wherein said substrateincludes one or more cutout in which said one or more integrated circuitis received.
 40. A label as in claim 39, wherein said antenna isconfigured in a loop and is positioned beneath said substrate.
 41. Alabel as in claim 37, wherein the plurality of upper electrodes and lowelectrodes are arranged in pairs, and wherein said one or moreintegrated circuit selectively energizes pairs of upper and lowerelectrodes to change the color of said microspheres that are locatedbetween said pairs.
 42. A label as in claim 37, wherein the label may beadhered to a product to provide a long-term visual indication of aparameter relating to said product.
 43. A label as in claim 37, whereinthe long-term visual indication is greater than 6 months.
 44. A label asin claim 37, wherein the product comprises a removable storage media.45. A label as in claim 40, wherein a first protective cover is providedabove said upper electrodes, and a second protective cover is providedbelow said antenna.
 46. A label as in claim 37, wherein the one or moreintegrated circuit receives power from the rf transmissions.